Has anybody used this hydro bender setup?

[StinkBug]

I saw this bracket setup from Copphead Fab for mounting the Harbor Freight Air Hydro engine hoist ram to a JD2 and was wondering if anyone had used this setup or built one similar. I really like the mount, and the rams are cheap enough that I'm willing to give it a shot. I did a search and found a few people using these rams, but mounted differently. I also read that a few people had troubles running these rams on their side unless you overfill them. What kinda fluid do you use, and where do you get it?

Thanks

http://copperheadfab.com/index.php?action=productview&productid=164

http://copperheadfab.com/images/products/164Ram.JPG

http://copperheadfab.com/images/products/TubeUnimog_018.jpg

[Todd W]

Hang out in shop and tool more :flipoff2:

I`ve posted videos of me using that ram on my home-made stand.

Bender Videos (http://www.4x4blog.com/jd2-model-3-air-over-hydro-tube-bender-videos/)

As far as not working. The air thing has to point down no matter what. My ram is over filled and it will only go out 4" sideways down it goes out all the way. As far as fluid I use whatever they have at HF and suggest for it... cheap and it works.

Mine doesn't pivot on the bender bolt but on the back where the ram is mounted. Only needs about 1/4"of clearance to let it move. It starts in moves out then moves back in as you bend more.

It's slow as you`ll seei in the videos but for the cost works nice.

[Panthers65]

i've got that setup on my jd2 and have used it plenty of times. It's no speed machine but is simple, cheap, and works. I like it

[Copperhead Fab]

With the our set up, you do not have to do any modifications to the ram, it comes with plenty of fluid. All you have to do is make sure the Air ram is on the bottom of the ram when you mount it.

The ram bends a piece of tube a degree a second, and will bend to 50 degrees before you have to repin.

Call us at 806 392 5390 if you have any questions.

[StinkBug]

Thanks for the replies, and that extra info about the degrees of bend. I'm not concerned with speed really, I'm used to doing it the old fashioned way (with a handle) and I like being able to just bump another degree or 2 into a bend. Some of the setups I've seen are way too fast for the fine adjustments. Price doesn't hurt either.

BTW, I spent an hour and a half searching this forum and only found a couple threads with actual info on THAT ram. Lots of mentions of it, but not much actual info, and nobody with this style setup.

[Jtrickett3]

i basically copied the copperhead fab bracket for my HD105, i've done a lot of bends with it and It works great.

[Todd W]

Thanks for the replies, and that extra info about the degrees of bend. I'm not concerned with speed really, I'm used to doing it the old fashioned way (with a handle) and I like being able to just bump another degree or 2 into a bend. Some of the setups I've seen are way too fast for the fine adjustments. Price doesn't hurt either.

BTW, I spent an hour and a half searching this forum and only found a couple threads with actual info on THAT ram. Lots of mentions of it, but not much actual info, and nobody with this style setup.

I`m using that ram. I painted it.
Mine works the same except it pivots on the mount not on the bender bolt. So it's the same style just a different pivot point. I didn't like having the entire ram pivot as it takes up a weird amount of space that way.

Either way for the price and speed it was a good upgrade over doing it by hand.

-Todd

[Panthers65]

I`m using that ram. I painted it.
Mine works the same except it pivots on the mount not on the bender bolt. So it's the same style just a different pivot point. I didn't like having the entire ram pivot as it takes up a weird amount of space that way.

Either way for the price and speed it was a good upgrade over doing it by hand.

-Todd

X2, and unles you have enough scrap steel laying around to make your own, you'll easily spend over $80 trying make your own

[coilcj]

I have this set up and love it, only issue I had (an it was/is more me) was setting the degree finder to zero to start. I was used to the old hand crank and it was easy to figure when it was at zero. Otherwise best bang for the buck, and I did not have to add any oil to mine either, worked right out of the box!

[ROXROES]

X2, and unles you have enough scrap steel laying around to make your own, you'll easily spend over $80 trying make your own

Wow, you know thats only about $15 in steel at the most...............

Finally used my buddies model 4 this weekend, it's probably not a whole lot faster than 1*/second. I feel like a retard using mine with a handle now, hydro is coming soon! :D

[Panthers65]

I've sat mine right next to my shops old model 4, there's a huge difference, but then again the model 4 is $$$

and there's now way you could go to a steel shop and buy all the different little pieces of steel for $15. I'm callin major bull shit right now. The copper head kit doesn't have just the flat piece (which last time I got my 4'x4' .25" it was about $135) but he has the spacers both for the end of the ram and where the bracket connects to the bender, as well as the bolt for the rear, and the bracket to hold the ram on the main bracket. There's no way in fawk you could make that kit for $15 unless you already had most the crap laying around

[Todd W]

I've sat mine right next to my shops old model 4, there's a huge difference, but then again the model 4 is $$$

and there's now way you could go to a steel shop and buy all the different little pieces of steel for $15. I'm callin major bull shit right now. The copper head kit doesn't have just the flat piece (which last time I got my 4'x4' .25" it was about $135) but he has the spacers both for the end of the ram and where the bracket connects to the bender, as well as the bolt for the rear, and the bracket to hold the ram on the main bracket. There's no way in fawk you could make that kit for $15 unless you already had most the crap laying around

You don't have to make it like the copperhead kit. You can do it with 1 piece of 1/4" if you want.

And I had all my steel laying around to build my bender arm, and entire cart. Realistically it's not much scrap especially if you've been fabbing for 6months or more. Dallas has a shop so I'd imagine he can EASILY make this with scrap like others have done. For those that don't the kit's a good setup.

[Panthers65]

so your talkin a clamp and piviot setup similar to the upgrade it that JD2 sells. I can see that a lot better than I can the copperhead setup Even still that setup scares me putting the clamp on the tube like that, just seems too easy to bend the ram and cause it to start leaking

[toyotabajaracer]

So I am thinking of ghetto riggin one of these cylinders up to my bender, my question is have any of you guys rigged up a drill, or sawzall attachment to it in attempt to bypass the air conversion? I figure the sawzall might have enough umph to do the pump action, or you could do a piston like crank dealybob and use a 1/2" drill???? Am I crazy, or do you guys think this might actually work????

Robert <><

[ROXROES]

I'm callin major bull shit right now. The copper head kit doesn't have just the flat piece (which last time I got my 4'x4' .25" it was about $135) but he has the spacers both for the end of the ram and where the bracket connects to the bender

I've got enough scrap laying around to build probably at least 5-8 of those. :laughing:

First off buy your steel from a steel vender, not a middle man. My last 4'x8' of 1/4" was $140, that rig is not a 1/10 of a sheet. Even after the 1st of the years steel price increase, I haven't bought another sheet of quarter yet but the 3/16" only went up $20/sheet so I would figure a little more for quarter.

All that round stuff and spacers would be a "g job" on my lunch break. :flipoff2:

[tech201]

How Many Degreese Can You Bend With The Ram Before You Run Out Of Stroke??

[Todd W]

I've got enough scrap laying around to build probably at least 5-8 of those. :laughing:

First off buy your steel from a steel vender, not a middle man. My last 4'x8' of 1/4" was $140, that rig is not a 1/10 of a sheet. Even after the 1st of the years steel price increase, I haven't bought another sheet of quarter yet but the 3/16" only went up $20/sheet so I would figure a little more for quarter.

All that round stuff and spacers would be a "g job" on my lunch break. :flipoff2:

Out here in CA 1/4" ranges from $210 to $400 :eek: at steel places :shaking:

[Panthers65]

I get my steel from a major steel supplier in athens, not sure if he's the middle man or not, but with steel prices on the rise it wouldn't suprise me if your same 4x8 sheet is not $200+. I know in the month and a half that it took me from getting my quote to atcually gettin the steel they had two price increases. lost almost $35 because i waited.

[Copperhead Fab]

How Many Degreese Can You Bend With The Ram Before You Run Out Of Stroke??

50 degrees before you have to repin.

[ROXROES]

it wouldn't suprise me if your same 4x8 sheet is not $200+. I know in the month and a half that it took me from getting my quote to atcually gettin the steel they had two price increases. lost almost $35 because i waited.

I'll bet you $1000 it isn't, prolly ought to add my buddies Dad who owns a Tool & Die shop that orders 1000's of lbs of a steel a week orders my stuff and it gets delivered the next day. :D

I gots hook-ups........................:flipoff2:

[Copperhead Fab]

I'll bet you $1000 it isn't, prolly ought to add my buddies Dad who owns a Tool & Die shop that orders 1000's of lbs of a steel a week orders my stuff and it gets delivered the next day. :D

I gots hook-ups........................:flipoff2:

Last truck of 1/4" we recieved, yesterday, was $269 for a 4x10'

wheres my $1000 :flipoff2:

[jeepgif]

X2

Make your own...

I built one with scrap steel I had in the shop.

Just add more fluid (a little at a time/too much and you will blow out the seals) and keep the air pump at the bottom.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/jeepgif/bender/bender026.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/jeepgif/bender/bender018.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/jeepgif/bender/bender012.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/jeepgif/bender/bender010.jpg

[Panthers65]

I'll bet you $1000 it isn't, prolly ought to add my buddies Dad who owns a Tool & Die shop that orders 1000's of lbs of a steel a week orders my stuff and it gets delivered the next day. :D

I gots hook-ups........................:flipoff2:


fawk you you cheatin lil bitch! :flipoff2:


all I'm sayin is compared to the time it'd take to fab the bracket and stuff, and the fact I've got all my crap in a 2 car garage (thats fab tools, trailer, buggy and 2 motorcycles) i don't keep a whole lotta my scrap, so it was well worth the $90 something dollars shipped that the bracket runs.

[Todd W]

fawk you you cheatin lil bitch! :flipoff2:


all I'm sayin is compared to the time it'd take to fab the bracket and stuff, and the fact I've got all my crap in a 2 car garage (thats fab tools, trailer, buggy and 2 motorcycles) i don't keep a whole lotta my scrap, so it was well worth the $90 something dollars shipped that the bracket runs.

I have a 2car garage and I keep all the scrap I can because it's handy for things like this and way cheaper than buying scrap @ .75/lb :shaking: :flipoff2:

[ROXROES]

fawk you you cheatin lil bitch! :flipoff2:

:D

I have a 2car garage and I keep all the scrap I can because it's handy for things like this and way cheaper than buying scrap @ .75/lb :shaking: :flipoff2:
I just throw all mine under my 36" x 96 bench, and just sift thru it when I need something. Wow, living in Cali must kill yah, scrap is only $0.15/lb here! :eek:

[wiggamoe]

Scrap is $0.60 per pound here, and you won't find a 4'x8'x0.25" piece of steel here for under $225.00. What does a sheet of 4x8 have to do with this tube bender bracket anway?

[braxton357]

Yeah, I don't think you've checked steel prices too recently. I think $78 is very reasonable for what you're getting.

[StinkBug]

Ok WTF. I asked if anyone had used this setup with this ram, not lets all have a debate on whether or not it's worth the money or how much does steel cost. I have scrap steel, and spare time, therefore for me it's cheaper to fab my own. Not everyone has the metal on hand or the time to do it. For them the Copperhead bracket is the hot ticket. Now take all your off topic BS and shut the fuck up already.















































:flipoff2:

[Panthers65]

Ok WTF. I asked if anyone had used this setup with this ram, not lets all have a debate on whether or not it's worth the money or how much does steel cost. I have scrap steel, and spare time, therefore for me it's cheaper to fab my own. Not everyone has the metal on hand or the time to do it. For them the Copperhead bracket is the hot ticket. Now take all your off topic BS and shut the fuck up already.


:flipoff2:

so I guess stinkbug refers to what crawled up your ass and died and not the name of your company :laughing::flipoff2:

[ROXROES]

Yeah, I don't think you've checked steel prices too recently. I think $78 is very reasonable for what you're getting.

Yah, I think you should stop making ASSumptions. :shaking:

Sue me for having hook ups and getting good deals. :flipoff2: I'm feeling REALLY good about my prices now, thanks! Shit, I'm not even talking about the "seconds" stuff I can get for even cheaper (not talkin' scrap).

$80 isn't a bad deal, but when "I" can build something in a couple hours and not wait a week or so to get it, its worth my time. Maybe when I'm older and filthy rich I won't be a stingy bastard. :flipoff2:

Last truck of 1/4" we recieved, yesterday, was $269 for a 4x10'

wheres my $1000 :flipoff2:

Well, thats 8 sq ft more, do you seriously want me to price out a sheet to rub it in? :D

Sheet of 3/16 I got last week - $130 * 1.3 (to equal quarter) = $173 ($30 increase from last fall)

$173 * 1.25 (to equal 4x10) = $216

EDIT
I hook my friends up and anybody else in the area, so bite me! :laughing:

[StinkBug]

Picked up the ram last week, and spent the last couple days building all the bracketry and a new stand/cart for the bender. Built the whole thing out of scrap metal I had sitting around, so it's not all bling and pretty but it is functional. I had a big angle iron cart I hacked up for part of the base, and some misc square tube for the rest. to mount the ram I ended up using the tabs I just cut off the old RockHer tie rod when I converted it to full hydro last week, I was too lazy to make tabs just for this :flipoff2:

I could have just put a new base with casters on the old bender stand, but I figured someone that's buying a manual bender might have a use for it. This time I also welded a bunch of bolts to the pedestal to hang all my dies off of. Right now I only have 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75, but I plan to get a 1" soon so I made sure to add the hangers for that too. I've only bent one piece of tube so far but it works great.

[84excursion]

I decided to go with the copperhead kit, jut put it together and ran it through once cycle with the air.

The air cylinder works, but the hand pump does not, is it supossed to when the jack is sideways? (not that i want to sit there for hours pumping away)

The precision cuts and quick assembly made the kit worth while...

Only change i would make to the kit is adding a vertical "fin" along the long bracket: with the extending ram not bolted to the bender arm the bracket flexs alot under the weight of the jack, but with it bolted on, there is no problem.

[StinkBug]

I never even tried using the handle on mine. Why would you want to?

[arndog]

I didn't use the copperhead bracket but did fab something similar up this weekend. If you are still using your bender as manual CONVERT IT its AWESOME. The bracket would have paid for itself :(

Its only like a 150 dollar total investment ... EXCELLENT

arndog

[Joe_88k5]

So I am thinking of ghetto riggin one of these cylinders up to my bender, my question is have any of you guys rigged up a drill, or sawzall attachment to it in attempt to bypass the air conversion? I figure the sawzall might have enough umph to do the pump action, or you could do a piston like crank dealybob and use a 1/2" drill???? Am I crazy, or do you guys think this might actually work????

Robert <><


I built one that ran off my 1/2" drill years ago and while it did actually work pretty well, it tore up the chuck on my drill while doing 2" DOM. There's a fairly significant amount of force on the input piston of the bender when bending larger tube. I guess if I had put more time and effort into building it I could have gotten it to work, but it just wasn't worth f'ing around with. Sorry, no pics since it was about 6 years ago and I didn't have a digital camera then.

[the freeak]

Just ordered my ram.

I will post up when I get it running.

Thanks for the information.


Chris

[bbaxter51]

i cant speak to the mount, but I'm using the ram on a gottrikes.com style bender and i'm it's about the perfect speed. I get it close with the air, then hand pump the final couple degrees. That ram seems like a steal at $99; but i have a shitty air compressor and that ram uses ALOT of air. probably not an issue for most on here though.

http://bbaxter51.smugmug.com/photos/519888138_QkcZw-M.jpg
http://bbaxter51.smugmug.com/photos/519888150_6FtnP-M.jpg

[kooters94yj]

I bought the copperhead kit and must have gotten the last one made on fri afternoon going into a holiday weekend. The ring going around the ram was too small first of all. Then I realized that spacer that goes in between the two curved pieces at the end of the ram wasn't big enough meaning the ram was wider than that part that was supposed to bolt to it. Then I realized the holes in those angled pieces weren't big enough for the sleeves to go through. Copperhead did send me a ring that would work but I get fed up with the whole project and finally just fixed it all myself. The customer service was good but I wasn't happy with the quality of the product.

Just my .02...